• The presentation was part of the FY 2026/2027 and medium-term budget preparation. Duale also briefed the committee on a joint task force between the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education aimed at reforming medical training to align with national health priorities and the country’s disease burden, ensuring Kenya develops a future-ready health workforce.

On February 24, 2026, Health Cabinet Secretary (CS) Aden Duale appeared before the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Health, chaired by Seme Member of Parliament (MP), James Nyikal, at Bunge Towers, Nairobi, to present and defend the 2026 Budget Policy Statement for the State Department for Public Health and Professional Standards.

CS Duale told the Parliament’s Committee that the 2026 Budget Policy Statement (BPS) for the State Department for Public Health and Professional Standards is anchored on four pillars: preventive and promotive health services, human resource development and innovation, policy formulation, and strengthened standards and regulatory frameworks.

He emphasized that the budget framework prioritizes underfunded but critical areas such as community health systems and functional primary healthcare networks, which he described as central to building a resilient, people-centered health system.

“The 2026 Budget Policy Statement, themed, 'Accelerating Gains under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) for Inclusive and Sustainable Growth,' reaffirms the Government's commitment to expanding access to quality healthcare nationwide,” he said.

Duale reiterated the department’s commitment to advancing Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and called for adequate, predictable financing to sustain reforms.

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The presentation was part of the FY 2026/2027 and medium-term budget preparation. Duale also briefed the committee on a joint task force between the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education aimed at reforming medical training to align with national health priorities and the country’s disease burden, ensuring Kenya develops a future-ready health workforce.

The Principal Secretary (PS) for Public Health and Professional Standards Mary Muthoni, Director General for Health Patrick Amoth, and other ministry leaders accompanied Duale during the session.

Muthoni underscored that preventive and promotive health care remain the foundation for achieving UHC and building a resilient, people-centered health system.

“I appreciate the Committee’s engagement, guidance and oversight, which remain critical in ensuring transparency, accountability and effective utilization of public resources,” she said.

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